Chapter 26: Assault Plan

It had already been a month since my first direct contact with Misono Mika. The winter chill was slowly fading away.

"This must be the fifth time we’ve met like this in secret, huh?"

"Yes… time really flies, doesn’t it?"

And yet, Misono Mika still hadn’t brought up any plan to attack Yurizono Seia.

In the original story, her plot had been simple but ruthless: to prevent Gehenna from signing a peace treaty and reconciling with Arius, she would send Yurizono Seia—the host and highest decision-maker of the Tea Party—to the hospital, then take her place as host herself.

Later, thanks to Beatrice’s scheming, it had seemed that Yurizono Seia was killed by a “Halo-destroying bomb.”

But in truth, Seia’s desperate persuasion stopped Shirazu Azusa—the one meant to use the bomb—from carrying out the attack. Together, they faked Seia’s death. Though Seia was left gravely injured and reportedly in a coma, the details were unclear.

The only people who knew the truth were Seia herself, Shirazu Azusa, and the Medical Knights’ Aomori Mine. Misono Mika knew nothing.

And because of that, she couldn’t turn back. Believing she’d caused Seia’s death, Mika had crossed a line she could no longer uncross.

"…Mika-san."

"Hm? What is it?"

"…About Seia-san, or Nagisa-san… how have things been with the other Tea Party members lately?"

But in this world… surely, Misono Mika wasn’t planning to attack Seia or send her to the hospital. Surely not.

"Hahaha! What kind of question is that? Hmm… let’s see… nothing much has changed, I guess?"

"I see. I was just making conversation. Anything at all is fine."

"Got it. Hmm… oh! Speaking of Seia-chan—"

"…!!"

"Nagi-chan tried to brew ‘candy tea,’ but it turned out the packet was just actual candy. She was too stubborn to admit it, so she ended up serving sugar water instead."

"…Haaaah…"

"It was really pitiful to watch."

My heart nearly leapt out of my chest.
If that had turned into a conversation about attacking Seia, all our plans up until now would’ve gone up in smoke.

"Haha… that’s awful."

"Right? You’d think she’d notice just by looking at the label, but apparently she didn’t realize until right before she brewed it. And since she’d already bragged about it, she couldn’t back out anymore."

Kirito Nagisa… she did always seem like the stubborn type, but still.

"And Seia-chan too, honestly. She’s always talking about how she can see the future, but why’d she pick that tea? You’d think she would’ve seen that coming at least."

…Wait.

"…Seia-san can see the future?"

"Huh? I didn’t tell you? Yeah, Seia-chan can see the future. It’s like a prophetic dream or something. Pretty amazing, right?"

Until now, Misono Mika had never once mentioned Yurizono Seia’s ability to foresee the future. Not because she’d tried to hide it—she just hadn’t needed to bring it up.

"…That’s extremely important information. You shouldn’t go telling people that so casually."

"Eeh? But Suou-chan’s trustworthy, right?"

"I’m obligated to report any information I receive to my superiors. Even if I say nothing myself, I can’t predict what they’ll do with it."

"Oh… right. But, but! I might not look it, but I’m actually pretty strong, you know? So even if something happens, I’ll protect Seia-chan and—no, that won’t work either. Sorry. I’ll be more careful."

…Honestly.

Mika probably wanted to change that side of herself too. In fact, over this past month, she’d started thinking before she spoke more often.

"As long as you understand. Seia-san’s foresight probably has limits anyway—it’s not something she can just use at will. If she could freely see the future, she’d already know about us."

"Ahh, that makes sense. I’ll have to tell Seia-chan next time if something similar happens."

"You already knew that…?"

"No, I just figured Seia-chan probably had her own reasons…"

Ordering sugar water—what kind of reason could that possibly be?

"Oh, but you know… lately, it’s gotten easier to talk with Seia-chan."

"…! Really?"

"Yeah. So I think… maybe I’ll try talking with her more seriously next time."

"…Yes. I think that’s a very good idea."

"Mm! …Ah, look at the time. Sorry, I’ve got a Tea Party meeting after this, so I need to go."

"All right. Take care."

"See you!"

Mika ran off.

I watched her retreating back in silence.

…I’d just learned about Seia’s foresight.

"…Sorry, Mika."

There was no turning back now.
All I could do was move forward.

"Madam. I’ve returned."

"I see. And what information did you obtain today?"

"Yes. First, the geographical data on Trinity. It mostly aligns with what’s available in public sources—mainly their official introduction magazines. Next, regarding their military strength. As I reported before, the two major powers appear to be the Justice Realization Committee and the Sisterhood. Newly confirmed: the latter originally evolved from an organization called the Justina Council of Saints."

"I see. Continue."

"They seem primarily engaged in charity work—confession management, cathedral operations, that sort of thing. However, considering this alongside other intelligence, it’s highly likely they possess considerable combat capabilities, possibly enough to act independently from the Tea Party’s influence."

…No reaction at the mention of the Justina Council of Saints.
Well, it would’ve been nice if she’d betrayed some surprise, but no luck there.

"And lastly, regarding the person we discussed earlier—Yurizono Seia. She’s the leader of the Sanctus faction and the current host. I’ve obtained new information about her."

"Oh?"

…It’ll work. This has to be done.
Someone has to do it—and that someone has to be me.

"…She possesses the power to foresee the future. According to Misono Mika, it manifests as prophetic dreams."

"What—!?"

Even Beatrice couldn’t hide her shock at that. So Yurizono Seia’s ability really is rare, even in Kivotos.

"However, based on Mika’s account, it seems she can’t invoke those visions at will. They occur only sporadically—limited, unpredictable prophetic dreams."

"I see… A Great Angel of Prophetic Dreams, then. And? What of it?"

…Yeah, I knew she’d make me say it myself.
That twisted bastard Beatrice is trying to trap me—forcing me to voice the idea of murder, tightening her grip.

…but honestly, I don’t care.

"If we can make use of her, that’s one thing. But unlike Mika, Yurizono Seia seems far more thoughtful and calculating. If she possesses foresight on top of that, she’ll be an obstacle to our plans."

"So, what do you propose?"

"───We should kill her."

"Oh? How delightful."

Beatrice’s lips twisted into a vile grin—pure, unfiltered joy.
Yeah, that’s the kind of person you are. Hurry up and die already. No—I’ll do it myself.

"But… how exactly do you intend to kill her?"

"First, regarding the risk of losing contact with Mika: I believe that can be managed through persuasion. Mika doesn’t particularly like Seia. Even if we lose their connection, the information we’ve already acquired, along with a few infiltrated spies, should suffice."

"I see. And then?"

…About half of that was a lie.
I’m fine cutting ties with Mika here.

In the original timeline, it was Mika who suggested sending a spy from Arius—but even without her or me suggesting it, Beatrice would’ve sent Azusa eventually. With her knack for fabricating identities, she can manage on her own. Mika’s support isn’t essential anymore.

"Even if her prophetic ability is limited, she might foresee our attack. To avoid that risk, we should act swiftly."

"Continue."

"The next issue is the time it takes to kill her. Seia is known to be physically frail, but natural death would take too long. My proposal: immobilize her with poison, weaken her during abduction, then drown her to finish it."

"Hmm… not bad."

…I have to keep pretending I don’t know about the Halo-Destroying Bomb.
If so, Beatrice’s next move will be—

"However, that method lacks certainty."

"I understand completely, but with all due respect—"

"There’s no need to rush. Your proposal is sound given current resources and weaponry."

"…Then—"

"For that reason, we’ll use this."

…Yeah, I figured.

"Is that… a bomb?"

"Indeed. A Halo-Destroying Bomb. It annihilates the divine power within a student’s halo, killing them instantly."

"Divine power…?"

"You don’t need to understand the details. All that matters: once this bomb hits its target, it guarantees their death."

…What a disgusting weapon.
A bomb created solely to kill students—nothing more, nothing less.

"Ah…! How magnificent…!"

"Be cautious. This bomb cannot be mass-produced. It cannot touch physical matter. Nothing can block or shield it. Handle it carelessly, and the consequences fall on us."

…The Halo-Destroying Bomb that killed Cyan and Anna—at least six were prepared in that short period.
But this version can’t be mass-produced. Hardly reliable.
Of course, it might be true… but I wouldn’t bet on it.

"I’ll bear that in mind. Still, with that weapon…"

"Yes. Without preparation, you can eliminate Yurizono Seia immediately and without fail, right on the spot."

"Then…"

"Indeed. Assassinate Yurizono Seia. Planning is left to the faculty; execution will likely occur in two or three days. Begin preparations. I’ll inform each squad leader myself."

…That soon, huh.

"Understood."

"Any other new information?"

"I’m afraid not. My capabilities were insufficient…"

"That’s fine. Yurizono Seia alone is a tremendous find."

"I’ll continue to do my utmost to serve and improve."

"I see. You may leave for today."

"…Excuse me, Madam."

…I need to tell everyone.
This operation—we’re not actually going to kill Yurizono Seia.
I have to share this information while there’s still time.

As usual, when I headed toward the training grounds, Yako came out to greet me.

"Squad Leader. Welcome back."

"…I’m back, Yako. The teachers didn’t do anything to you, did they?"

"No problems here. But more importantly, Squad Leader…"

"Hm?"

"…Are you all right? You seem worse than usual today."

"…!"

…So it shows, huh.

Well, it makes sense. This proposal really was a gamble.

If, by some chance, the Halo-Destroying Bomb hadn’t come up, I might have been forced to kill Yurizono Seia for real.

And if that had happened… there would’ve been no choice but to take the ultimate gamble: helping everyone defect to Trinity itself.

No wonder I feel sick.

"Ahaha… I’m fine! I’m the big sister here, after all!"

"If you can still joke like that, then I suppose you’re fine. Still, your face is pale as ever… maybe you should rest a bit?"

"No, I’m okay. More importantly…"

"Hm?"

…I’ll start by informing only my closest sisters.
Telling everyone at once would only cause chaos.

"Can you gather the squad leaders for me?"

"Huh? You mean—"

"I’ll explain the reason to everyone together. I’ll call the leaders of Squads One through Four myself… can you handle Six through Eight?"

"…Yes, leave it to me."

"Thank you. Let’s meet at the training grounds after tonight’s drills."

"Understood. And, um—Squad Leader, please at least drink some water and rest a bit. You really don’t look well, and it’s worrying."

"Ahaha… I’m fine, really. But thanks, Yako."

…Guess I made her worry again.

Tonight, I can’t afford to let anyone notice.
I need to keep myself together.

It’s fine. I won’t let anyone here become a killer—or even think that they have.

So this unease, this anxiety—it’s all in my head. I have to suppress it.

"Phew…"

I took the bottle of water Yako handed me and drank it, letting calm return little by little as I organized my thoughts for tonight’s discussion.